An inquest into his death was opened on Tuesday (July 29) at Woking Coroners' Court, during which presiding coroner Simon Wickens recounted the events of February 21 to the jury.

Mr Friend had been travelling to workplace Reigate Motor Company on his red Honda motorbike when he happened upon an earlier collision involving a Volkswagen Golf.

Rounding a bend in the road, an unsighted Mr Friend collided with the stationary Volkswagen at about 7.50am and rebounded into the path of an oncoming BMW. He died at the scene of the crash.

The incident took place at a set of temporary traffic lights, which were set up by Sutton and East Surrey Water (SSEW) the day before Mr Friend's death.

However, Mr Wickens told the court another accident had taken place the very same day, which raised some concerns over the safety of the lights.

"On the day in question, Lee was riding to work along the A217," he said. "The day before, Sutton and East Surrey Water had placed upon that road temporary traffic lights at a section just beyond a bend."

Mr Wickens tould the court that two matters arose from the events of February 20. Firstly, that a member of the public contacted Reigate & Banstead Borough Council about the position of the lights.

Secondly, that there appeared to have been a road traffic collision on February 20, which was attended by Surrey Police but not necessarily acted upon.

On February 21, Mr Friend rounded the very same bend and collided with the Volkswagen, before being fatally struck by the BMW, the inquest heard.

'Amazing dad'

The court heard a statement by pathologist Norman Ratcliffe, who performed a post-mortem on Mr Friend's body on February 25, which revealed his injuries were consistent with a major trauma.

He concluded the injuries to Mr Friend's head were responsible for his death, rather than any subsequent movement of his body.

Mr Wickens also read a statement from forensic toxicologist Kerry Taylor, who concluded there was no evidence to suggest Mr Friend was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Widow Stephanie Friend, supported by Mr Friend's father whose hand she held during the hearing, was invited by the coroner to tell the court a bit about her late husband - whom she married in summer 2012 - and to recount the hours leading up to his death.

Mr Friend was born in Tooting and grew up in North Cheam. He studied motor mechanics at Carshalton College before starting an apprenticeship with Renault, the court was told.

He took a job at Reigate Motor Company after meeting Mrs Friend in 2008, and moved in with her and her then three-year-old daughter. The couple later had two boys, the second born following Mr Friend's death.

"He loved his job," she said. "He rode to work every day. I showed him the route as he was not from the area. He took that route every day, 100%. His work was not far round the bend, 200m or so."

Mr Wickens asked Mrs Friend if she or Mr Friend knew about the roadworks on the A217, to which she said she was aware of them but did not recall having a conversation about them with her husband.

Mrs Friend said February 21 was like any other day: "I kissed everyone goodbye," she said. "He went on his way, but later on we were informed there had been an accident."

Her voice breaking, Mrs Friend said Mr Friend was a "beautiful person", exceptionally honest and never argumentative.

"He was very passionate about his job and his family," she added. "An amazing dad, and an amazing friend to me."

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Jurors at the inquest into the death of motorcyclist Lee Friend have heard evidence from a police officer and witnesses about the location of roadworks traffic lights in Reigate, as well as the water firm employees who set them up

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